Autoblog Green http://www.autobloggreen.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://www.autobloggreen.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[UK to spend £30 million on EV Charging points]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/20/uk-to-spend-30-million-on-ev-charging-poins/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/20/uk-to-spend-30-million-on-ev-charging-poins/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/20/uk-to-spend-30-million-on-ev-charging-poins/#commentsFiled under: , ,



British Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis has announced that the UK will spend £30 million to install plug-in vehicle charging stations. The charge points will be built in at least three and as many as six "electric car cities and regions" across the UK, the forerunners of a national EV recharging grid. The plan is called Plugged-In Places and is accompanied by creation of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). The OLEV is a new goverment office in charge of coordinating policy and funding for low-carbon projects throughout the country. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Department of Transport]

Continue reading UK to spend £30 million on EV Charging points

UK to spend £30 million on EV Charging points originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british charging gridBritishChargingGriddepartment of transportDepartmentOfTransportolevplugged-in placesPlugged-inPlacesuk charging griduk electric gridUkChargingGridUkElectricGridFri, 20 Nov 2009 10:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Government bailout does not mean EV mandates for GM, Chrysler]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/19/government-bailout-does-not-mean-ev-mandates-for-gm-chrysler/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/19/government-bailout-does-not-mean-ev-mandates-for-gm-chrysler/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/19/government-bailout-does-not-mean-ev-mandates-for-gm-chrysler/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dodge Circuit - Click above for high-res image gallery

GM and Chrysler may have gotten government help totaling almost $40 billion, but that money does not come with strings attached demanding that the two companies build electric or high-mpg cars. Government task force head Ron Bloom told Reuters that, "We obviously would be very happy if Chrysler and GM were making lots and lots of high mileage cars. It's not a prerequisite. It's not an obligation."

While the U.S. as a whole would benefit if the cars on the road were more efficient, the government's stance is understandably self-serving. The market for EVs isn't that big, and if the U.S. wants the loan money returned, they need GM and Chrysler to build vehicles they can sell. Another reason is that the government doesn't want to get involved in making specific business decisions, and is deferring to the management teams at both companies on these issues. Chrysler's team has decided to disband its ENVI group while GM keeps moving forward with the Volt program. One way the government can get cleaner cars to the market is to raise CAFE standards, which they did earlier this year.

[Source: Reuters]

Government bailout does not mean EV mandates for GM, Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bailoutchryslergmobamaThu, 19 Nov 2009 09:04:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S., China announce new Electric Vehicles Initiative]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/18/u-s-china-announce-new-electric-vehicles-initiative/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/18/u-s-china-announce-new-electric-vehicles-initiative/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/18/u-s-china-announce-new-electric-vehicles-initiative/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2009 BYD F3DM - Click above for high-res image gallery

You'll be forgiven if all you know about President Obama's recent trip to Asia was that he bowed (ZOMG!) to the Japanese Emperor, but we have to ask you to stop watching so much cable TV news. Things of substance happened during the trip, too, and one of them (hopefully) is a new Electric Vehicles Initiative that the U.S. and China will work together on.

The Initiative is made up of four main parts: joint standards for plugs, battery test protocols and the like; joint demonstrations to compare how plug-ins will be used in the two countries; a joint technical roadmap to plan out what research needs to be done and how it can be used to bring EVs to market; and working together to promote plug-ins. This last point means that the US-China Electric Vehicles Forum that took place in September will become an annual event, moving from the U.S. to China every other year. Read the official announcement after the jump or download the PDF here.

[Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Green Car Congress via Treehugger]

Continue reading U.S., China announce new Electric Vehicles Initiative

U.S., China announce new Electric Vehicles Initiative originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>china electric carchina evChinaElectricCarChinaEvobama chinaObamaChinaWed, 18 Nov 2009 17:07:00 EST<![CDATA[3-Euro-cent-per-km mileage tax might become law in the Netherlands]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/3-euro-cent-per-km-mileage-tax-might-become-law-in-the-netherlan/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/3-euro-cent-per-km-mileage-tax-might-become-law-in-the-netherlan/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/3-euro-cent-per-km-mileage-tax-might-become-law-in-the-netherlan/#commentsFiled under: ,

A mileage tax has been in discussion here in the U.S., but doesn't look likley to become law. The situation is very different in the Netherlands, where the Dutch cabinet approved legislation that would replace ownership and sales taxes on automobiles with a 3 Euro cent (about 4.5 U.S. cents) fee per kilometer starting in 2012. The next step is for Parliament to pass the law, something that is very likely. If approved, the fee would climb to 6.7 Euro cents (10 U.S. cents) in 2018. What's the point of doing this? The Dutch Transport Ministry believes that these pay-as-you-go fees will result in a ten percent drop in CO2 emissions and congestion reduced to half of what it is today.

One question with schemes like this is how to calculate how far people are driving. GPS is a simple solution, but then the government knows where your car is, which doesn't sit well with some people. A mileage tax test in Oregon used a limited GPS-tracking system to determine payment rates. From the looks of it, the system in the Netherlands will use GPS data that will be sent to a collection agency. Thanks to Mark F. and Alef A. for the tips!

[Source: AFP via Wired]

3-Euro-cent-per-km mileage tax might become law in the Netherlands originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dutch mileage taxDutchMileageTaxmileage taxMileageTaxnetherlands mileage taxNetherlandsMileageTaxMon, 16 Nov 2009 14:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Electrification Coalition sees plug-ins making up 25 percent of market by 2020]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/electrification-coalition-sees-plug-in-sales-making-up-25-percen/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/electrification-coalition-sees-plug-in-sales-making-up-25-percen/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/electrification-coalition-sees-plug-in-sales-making-up-25-percen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



A new Electrification Coalition was announced today with the backing of the CEOs from twelve companies. What's interesting about this group is that, among the leaders from electric vehicles companies and related start-ups - Coda Automotive, Coulomb Technolgies, A123 Systems, etc. - we find Nissan's Carlos Ghosn. Nissan is the only major OEM to participate in this coalition, which will promote "policies and actions that will facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale in order to combat the economic, environmental, and national security vulnerabilities caused by our nation's dependence on petroleum."

Step one is the Electrification Roadmap (36MB PDF), which calls for ambitious plug-in sales goals: by 2020, BEVs and PHEVs should make up a full 25 percent of new vehicle sales in the U.S. This is a huge step beyond what Ghosn said was possible on Friday. By 2030, the target jumps to 90 percent, and, by 2040, 75 percent of all vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. should be done in a plug-in vehicle. The way the Coalition believes this can happen is by targeting markets where plug-in vehicles will be accepted early, and moving from there to the broader public. More details, including a list of all 12 companies involved, are available after the jump.

[Source: PRTM]





Photo by phos365. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Continue reading Electrification Coalition sees plug-ins making up 25 percent of market by 2020

Electrification Coalition sees plug-ins making up 25 percent of market by 2020 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a123a123 systemsA123Systemsbevbreakingbright automotiveBrightAutomotiveCarlos Ghosncarlos ghosn nissanCarlosGhosnCarlosGhosnNissancoulombcoulomb technologiesCoulombTechnologieselectrification coalitionelectrification roadmapElectrificationCoalitionElectrificationRoadmapgridpointphevMon, 16 Nov 2009 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[STUDY: Cash for Clunkers helped Japanese way more than Detroit 3]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/study-cash-for-clunkers-helped-japanese-way-more-than-detroit-3/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/study-cash-for-clunkers-helped-japanese-way-more-than-detroit-3/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/study-cash-for-clunkers-helped-japanese-way-more-than-detroit-3/#commentsFiled under: ,



While there is no question that Obama's Cash-for-Clunkers program accelerated vehicle sales this summer, a new report by the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute shows the big winners were from Japan, not Detroit.

According to the study, nearly 85 percent of the trade-ins were from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, yet they only sold 39 percent of the new cars moved off the lots. On the other hand, eight percent of the trade-ins came from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, manufacturers who accounted for 41 percent of new car purchases.

While these numbers may be justified by the large quantity of inefficient domestic trucks and SUVs that were deemed clunkers, customer loyalty also seems to have taken a big shift. About 68 percent of owners who traded in Toyota, Honda, or Nissan vehicles replaced them with another from one of those Japanese brands, while only 43 percent of consumers who traded in Detroit steel purchased another General Motors, Ford, or Chrysler product. The program cost the U.S. taxpayers about $3 billion.

[Source: USA Today]
Photo by dno1967. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

STUDY: Cash for Clunkers helped Japanese way more than Detroit 3 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto salvageAutoSalvagebillionCash for ClunkersCashForClunkersCFCcostObamasalvagetrade-intrade-insMon, 16 Nov 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Pay-per-mile car insurance might come to California]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/pay-per-mile-car-insurance-might-come-to-california/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/pay-per-mile-car-insurance-might-come-to-california/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/pay-per-mile-car-insurance-might-come-to-california/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The idea of paying for your insurance by the mile is not new. MileMeter, in Texas, offers pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) rates and California has been using mileage brackets to set insurance rates for years. A new, more precise PAYD system is under discussion in California that would give people who drive less a financial incentive to do keep doing so - and maybe convince people on the fence to find an alternative when possible.

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner recently issued regulations on what PAYD mileage verification plans could look like. It's likely that people with PAYD would think twice when getting behind the wheel and combine trips when possible. The Brookings Institution studied PAYD last year and found that driving would drop by eight percent if all U.S. drivers were under a PAYD system. Also, two-thirds of U.S. households would save an average of $270.

MileMeter is looking to expand to California, and MileMeter founder and CEO Chris Gay told the Sacramento Bee that, "Our take is that half the market out there is being overcharged and underserved - and that's who we aim to address." The bigger insurance companies are looking into PAYD, but have not yet decided to offer it in California. This is an idea that easy to implement and, in lieu of higher gasoline taxes, could have a dramatic impact.

[Source: Sacramento Bee via MMN]
Photo by Wouter Kiel. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Pay-per-mile car insurance might come to California originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>insuranceinsurance companiesInsuranceCompaniesmileagemileage insurancemileage taxMileageInsuranceMileageTaxpay as you drivepay-per-milePayAsYouDrivepaydMon, 09 Nov 2009 19:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Oklahomans battling over the cost of NEVs. Should they be free?]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/oklahomans-battling-over-the-cost-of-nevs-should-they-be-free/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/oklahomans-battling-over-the-cost-of-nevs-should-they-be-free/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/oklahomans-battling-over-the-cost-of-nevs-should-they-be-free/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wheego Whip - click above for high-res image gallery

Low-speed, neighborhood electric vehicles are an interesting case. No one thinks of them as "real cars" - although the Wheego Whip, above, tries to be the Cadillac of NEVs - but they certainly serve a purpose and can meet the transportation needs of some people, some of the time. But, should they be free?

Keith Andrews, president of Fairplay Cars, sent in some background information about a controversy brewing in Oklahoma that, at least for now, makes some NEVs effectively free. The state offers a huge tax credit towards purchasing an NEV, but the Oklahoma Tax Commission is campaigning to "black list a significant number of street legal electric cars from the states healthy tax credits now in place," Andrews wrote. The trouble revolves around the difference between a LSV and a golf cart. According to Andrews, the low-speed vehicle makers in favor of the plan pointed out in court that Oklahoma has already defined what is and is not a low-speed vehicle - based on NHTSA rules - and therefore "should adhere to its own standard and confirm approval of all LSV's that qualify on the Federal level." The Oklahoma Tax Commission has promised to appeal to the state Supreme Court, saying the decision could cost the state over $40 million. Read more from Andrews after the jump.

[Source: News 9, WSJ, Keith Andrews]




Continue reading Oklahomans battling over the cost of NEVs. Should they be free?

Oklahomans battling over the cost of NEVs. Should they be free? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>low speed vehicleLowSpeedVehiclelsvneighborhood electric vehicleNeighborhoodElectricVehiclenevnevsMon, 09 Nov 2009 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[CAFE credits for EVs - will we repeat the E85 system?]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/cafe-credits-for-evs-will-we-repeat-the-e85-system/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/cafe-credits-for-evs-will-we-repeat-the-e85-system/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/cafe-credits-for-evs-will-we-repeat-the-e85-system/#commentsFiled under: , ,



What is a plug-in vehicle worth? When it comes to CAFE credits, the answer to this question is a bit complicated. As we discussed in our Greenlings look at CAFE, the system allows for credits. One effect is that automakers who build vehicles that can burn E85 - even if these cars don't actually use the biofuel - get a bit of a pass for their dirtier vehicles. When it comes to EVs, a potential "sell one, get one free" deal is in the works.

Basically, the system might allow plug-in vehicles to count as 1.2 or even 2 vehicles in the fleet calculations,and so each EV could offset something big and fuel inefficient. This might result in getting plug-in vehicles to market while also allowing bug SUVs to remain in production. Unsurprisingly, the Auto Alliance, made up of most of the big OEMs, loves the idea. Alliance spokesman Charles Territo said that, "The ability to earn, trade and bank credits" by producing electric and hybrid vehicles "is essential to meeting the goals of the national program." The next big CAFE goal is 35.5 mpg by 2016.

John DeCicco, senior lecturer at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment, told HybridCars that the EV credit system under discussion is potentially confusing. "Funny math can't substitute for engineering breakthroughs. EVs of any sort can only make a real difference if they succeed on their merits for both customer value and emissions reduction. Bonus credits may fool a few starry-eyed policymakers, they won't fool either the marketplace or the Earth's atmosphere."

Source: HybridCars]

CAFE credits for EVs - will we repeat the E85 system? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cafecafe creditscafe evCafeCreditsCafeEvelectric car cafeElectricCarCafeev cafeev creditsEvCafeEvCreditsjohn deciccoJohnDeciccoThu, 05 Nov 2009 14:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Plug-in vehicles will get special license plate in Ontario next year]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/plug-in-vehicles-will-get-special-license-plate-in-ontario-next/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/plug-in-vehicles-will-get-special-license-plate-in-ontario-next/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/plug-in-vehicles-will-get-special-license-plate-in-ontario-next/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Want to emblazon your ride with Ontario's new "environmentally friendly vehicles" license plate? There are two hurdles you'll have to jump. First, wait until next year when the plate actually becomes available on July 1. Second, you'll need to get a car with a plug. According to the Toronto Star, the new green vehicle plates are for plug-in hybrids and battery-powered cars only.

Like the Clean Access stickers that were so popular in California, the special plates will allow the cars to drive in high occupancy vehicle highway lanes through 2015 no matter how many people are in the car. Drivers will also get to pull up to recharging facilities at GO Transit and some government-operated parking lots, and will be allowed to park in special spots at some Wal-Marts and at the University of Toronto. The provincial government is offering the benefits as a way to reach Ontario's Electric Vehicle initiative goal of getting EVs to make up five percent of the fleet mix in Ontario by 2020.

[Source: Toronto Star]

Plug-in vehicles will get special license plate in Ontario next year originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery electric vehicleBatteryElectricVehiclebevcanadaevevsontarioontario phevOntarioPhevphevphevsplug-inplug-in-hybridThu, 05 Nov 2009 08:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Perennial wishes: Auto industry execs calling for higher gas tax yet again]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/perennial-wishes-auto-industry-execs-calling-for-higher-gas-tax/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/perennial-wishes-auto-industry-execs-calling-for-higher-gas-tax/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/perennial-wishes-auto-industry-execs-calling-for-higher-gas-tax/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



How often do the Wall Street Journal, Bill Ford, Jr. and Thomas Friedman agree on something? When it's the gas tax, it's 100 percent of the time, and now a number of auto executives have added their voices in favor of a gas tax in order to reach the end goal of getting more fuel efficient vehicles into use.

Speaking at the Reuters Autos Summit in Detroit, people like Jerry York, a former GM board member, and Mike Jackson, chief executive of AutoNation Inc., said that setting the price of gas at at least $4 a gallon would be a better way to get Americans to use less gasoline than giving out billions in loans and grants to develop new, more efficient technologies. Only with some pain at the pump, Jackson said, will car buyers care about fuel efficiency, adding that the best way to set the price floor would be with gradual gas tax increases until the $4 or $5 price limit is reached. Tim Leuliette, chief executive of supplier Dura Automotive, suggested that $8/gallon should be the target by 2020, stressing that the increases need to be telegraphed far in advance so that automakers and buyers can prepare for them. Rebates or other assistance for low income families should also be considered, the executives said.

Of course, any politician who pushes hard for these increase will likely face tremendous opposition and criticism, but these guys are making sense. How is it that the auto industry is so far ahead on this issue?

[Source: Forbes]
Photo by functoruser. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Perennial wishes: Auto industry execs calling for higher gas tax yet again originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gas taxgasoline taxgasoline taxesGasolineTaxGasolineTaxesGasTaxWed, 04 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[UK expands fuel economy label to include used cars]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/uk-expands-fuel-economy-label-to-include-used-cars/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/uk-expands-fuel-economy-label-to-include-used-cars/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/uk-expands-fuel-economy-label-to-include-used-cars/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The UK's Minister for Transport, Sadiq Khan, has announced a new color-coded label that would help identify the most fuel-efficient cars right in the showroom. This label will also include information about the car's CO2 emissions, estimated fuel costs over 12,000 miles and MPG. This label was created by the British Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) and, although it's not mandatory yet, 94 percent of British car dealers have signed up to display it on new and new-ish cars. That's right, these labels are designed not only for new cars, but for used vehicles as well, with information available for cars dating back to 2001 (check the mock-up here). Dealers can register to use the system either individually at www.vca.gov.uk or through their manufacturer. Read full press release after the jump.

[Source: DfT]

Continue reading UK expands fuel economy label to include used cars

UK expands fuel economy label to include used cars originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>color labelColorLabelfuel labelFuelLabelSadiq KhanSadiqKhanused car fuel economy labelUsedCarFuelEconomyLabelTue, 03 Nov 2009 18:54:00 EST<![CDATA[GM awarded DOE money to research Shape Memory Alloy heat engines]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/02/gm-awarded-doe-money-to-research-shape-memory-alloy-heat-engines/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/02/gm-awarded-doe-money-to-research-shape-memory-alloy-heat-engines/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/02/gm-awarded-doe-money-to-research-shape-memory-alloy-heat-engines/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


General Motors has been awarded $2.7 million by the Department of Energy to create a working prototype engine using Shape Memory Alloys (SMA). The idea is for the prototype to use SMA tech to capture heat energy from engine exhaust gasses via an electric generator and transfer that energy to recharge batteries for hybrids or electric vehicles.

SMA tech can also theoretically power electronic devices like power seats and windows in a standard gas- or diesel-powered car, perhaps even replacing the power-sapping alternator. The GM press release, which is pasted after the jump, doesn't go into much depth explaining how memory alloys work, but the basic principle is easy to understand.

"When you heat up a stretched SMA wire, it shrinks back to its pre-stretched length, and when it cools back down it becomes less stiff and can revert to the original shape" said Jan Aase, director of GM's Vehicle Development Research Laboratory. "A loop of this wire could be used to drive an electric generator to charge a battery."

While $2.7 million isn't a lot of coin in the realm of GM finances (the General seemed to shed about $2.7 million every ten minutes pre-bankruptcy) the grant was significant in that it was the only monies awarded by the DOE given to an automaker. GM is working with partners from outside the auto industry to make the concept a reality, a practice that the General says is imperative to get breakthroughs like this to market. No timetable was given as to when GM's SMA concept would see the light of day.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM awarded DOE money to research Shape Memory Alloy heat engines

GM awarded DOE money to research Shape Memory Alloy heat engines originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>department of energyDepartmentOfEnergyelectric generatorElectricGeneratorgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmhybridshape metal alloy heat enginesShapeMetalAlloyHeatEnginessmaMon, 02 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Aptera officially resubmits application for DOE loan]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/30/aptera-officialy-resubmits-application-for-doe-loan/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/30/aptera-officialy-resubmits-application-for-doe-loan/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/30/aptera-officialy-resubmits-application-for-doe-loan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge

Not that it comes as a shock or anything, but word comes from Aptera (by way of Green Car Advisor) that it has officially resubmitted its application for DOE loans. The hopeful manufacturer of three-wheeled electric vehicles had previously submitted an application for funds from the DOE's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) program, but the application was declined as the funds were only available for four-wheeled vehicles.

Now that President Obama and Congress have revised the ATVM program to include three-wheeled cars that can carry at least two passengers and return at least 75 miles per gallon (or the electrical equivalent, naturally), Aptera now qualifies for funding. As such, Aptera has updated its application for a $75 million loan.

The updated application still needs to be approved by the powers that be before any funds will be distributed, though it would seem that Aptera would be a shoe-in now that the program's guidelines have been revised.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Aptera officially resubmits application for DOE loan originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Advanced Technology Vehicle ManufacturingAdvanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive ProgramAdvanced Technology Vehicles ManufacturingAdvanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing ATVM Loan programAdvancedTechnologyVehicleManufacturingAdvancedTechnologyVehicleManufacturingIncentiveProgramAdvancedTechnologyVehiclesManufacturingAdvancedTechnologyVehiclesManufacturingAtvmLoanProgramapteraaptera 2eaptera motorsAptera2eApteraMotorsatvmatvmpdoedoe fundsDoeFundsFri, 30 Oct 2009 14:52:00 EST<![CDATA[President signs bill expanding ATVM program to three wheelers]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/30/president-signs-bill-expanding-atvm-program-to-three-wheelers/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/30/president-signs-bill-expanding-atvm-program-to-three-wheelers/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/30/president-signs-bill-expanding-atvm-program-to-three-wheelers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge

When congress established the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) program in the 2007 energy bill, it explicitly said that it applied to making cars that come under the federal motor vehicle safety standards. Those safety standards apply only to vehicles with four or more wheels, meaning that three wheelers like the Aptera 2e were not eligible for the money.

This week, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law a bill that revises the $25 billion loan program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. The ATVM program now applies to high efficiency two- and three-wheelers that carry at least two people and get 75 mpg or more. Aptera is now revising and re-submitting its loan application based on the new rules. In spite of not being required to meet federal safety standards, Aptera has committed to passing all the crash requirements anyway. Now the company may be able to get some-low cost funding to help expand and get cars into customer hands.

Gallery: Aptera


[Source: Aptera]

Continue reading President signs bill expanding ATVM program to three wheelers

President signs bill expanding ATVM program to three wheelers originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Advanced Technology Vehicle ManufacturingAdvanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive ProgramAdvanced Technology Vehicles ManufacturingAdvanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing ATVM Loan programAdvancedTechnologyVehicleManufacturingAdvancedTechnologyVehicleManufacturingIncentiveProgramAdvancedTechnologyVehiclesManufacturingAdvancedTechnologyVehiclesManufacturingAtvmLoanProgramapteraaptera 2eaptera motorsaptera-motorsAptera2eApteraMotorsatvmatvmlpFri, 30 Oct 2009 08:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Mitsubishi to work with Netherlands government on EV promotion]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/29/mitsubishi-to-work-with-netherlands-government-on-ev-promotion/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/29/mitsubishi-to-work-with-netherlands-government-on-ev-promotion/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/29/mitsubishi-to-work-with-netherlands-government-on-ev-promotion/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Osamu Masuko, president of Mitsubishi Motors, paid a visit to the Netherlands this week to meet with prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende on the subject of electric vehicles. Mitsubishi recently delivered a production iMiEV to the Dutch embassy in Japan for use there. The Dutch government launched a tax incentive program to promote EV field tests last June and wants to expand the program beyond just fleets.

Mitsubishi will be working with the Dutch just as it is in numerous other countries (including Monaco, Iceland and Hong Kong) to expand availability of both plug-in vehicles and build out a network of public charge points to facilitate the use of EVs. Mitsubishi is now offering the iMiEV for sale in Japan and showed a small cargo box version of the car last week at the Tokyo Motor Show.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading Mitsubishi to work with Netherlands government on EV promotion

Mitsubishi to work with Netherlands government on EV promotion originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mitsubishiMitsubishi i Mievmitsubishi imievmitsubishi netherlandsMitsubishiIMievMitsubishiNetherlandsNetherlandsnetherlands governmentNetherlandsGovernmentThu, 29 Oct 2009 11:52:00 EST<![CDATA[PEV 2009: David Cole explains why adding plugs to cars is anything but simple]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/26/pev-2009-david-cole-explains-why-adding-plugs-to-cars-is-anythi/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/26/pev-2009-david-cole-explains-why-adding-plugs-to-cars-is-anythi/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/26/pev-2009-david-cole-explains-why-adding-plugs-to-cars-is-anythi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

David Cole is the chairman of the Center For Automotive Research. As such, he is deeply connected to the industry and played a big role in organizing the Business of Plugging In expo in Detroit last week. We've talked with Cole in the past, and caught up with him at the expo to hear what the Michigan-centric conference can tell us about the future of plug-in vehicles in the mitten state.

There are six big companies with "significant" R&D facilities in Michigan - the three big domestic manufacturers plus Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai - and Honda has a major facility in Ohio. On top of this, there are about 300 tech centers for suppliers in the area, so it makes sense to try and bring these players together at a conference. Adding a plug to the vehicle means involving a larger cast of characters than has been common in the past, and new relationships must be developed. This is not easy to do.

"People tended to trivialize the complexity of the industry because it's so easy to drive cars," Cole said. Not true, he said, not true at all. Read more of his thoughts after the jump.

Continue reading PEV 2009: David Cole explains why adding plugs to cars is anything but simple

PEV 2009: David Cole explains why adding plugs to cars is anything but simple originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business of plugging inBusinessOfPluggingIncarCenter for Automotive ResearchCenterForAutomotiveResearchdavid coleDavidColepev 2009Pev2009Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:49:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: All those clunkers messed up with no where to go]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/26/report-all-those-clunkers-messed-up-with-no-where-to-go/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/26/report-all-those-clunkers-messed-up-with-no-where-to-go/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/26/report-all-those-clunkers-messed-up-with-no-where-to-go/#commentsFiled under: ,



We found out which vehicles were the most popular "green" clunkers in the Car Allowance Rebate System that ran its course earlier this fall, but it won't take much sleuthing to discover where all these clunkers have ended up. According to the AP, the disabled SUVs, minivans and trucks (mostly) are still sitting on scrap lots around the country. One recycler in Minnesota has acres crammed with 4,000 cars and can only dismantle about 100 cars a week. This is a problem, because all of the clunkers are supposed to be recycled and dealt with within six months of when they were turned in for the rebate that was worth up to $4,500.

The American Recyclers Association said before the program ended that the clunkers would be recycled "according to the rules set forth under the CARS program to achieve the highest of environmental standards. With protecting the environment being a major component in this legislation, recycling these vehicles is the next logical step." The ARA is now asking for more time to properly recycle the vehicles. Sounds reasonable, no?

[Source: AP]
Photo by dno1967. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

REPORT: All those clunkers messed up with no where to go originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american recyclers associationAmericanRecyclersAssociationcar allowance rebate systemCarAllowanceRebateSystemcarsCash for ClunkersCashForClunkersclunkersrecyclerecyclersrecyclingscrapMon, 26 Oct 2009 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[HFO-1234yf: Get used to hearing it]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/24/hfo-1234yf-get-used-to-hearing-it/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/24/hfo-1234yf-get-used-to-hearing-it/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/24/hfo-1234yf-get-used-to-hearing-it/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



What the heck is HFO-1234yf? That's the name of a new refrigerant that's reportedly 350-times less damaging to the atmosphere than the current HFC-134a (or 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane, if you prefer). You may recall that today's refrigerant was actually put into widespread use back in the early 1990s as a replacement for the long-running R12 that was found to be collecting in and damaging our delicate ozone layer.

Well, it turns out that HFC-134a isn't as good a solution as hoped for. As such, the refrigerant has been banned in Europe beginning in 2011 and it seems likely the United States will follow suit. Enter HFO-1234yf, also known as 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene.

The new refrigerant was co-developed by DuPont and Honeywell and has already been approved for use in Japan and Europe for automotive air conditioners. Earlier this week, the United States EPA issued a proposal to approve a replacement for HFC-134a, and this new stuff is seen as a likely substitute.

[Source: EPA via Green Car Advisor]

HFO-1234yf: Get used to hearing it originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmental protection agencyEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyepahfc-134aHFO 1234-yfhfo-1234yfHfo1234-yfr-134aR1200S HP2R1200sHp2refrigerantSat, 24 Oct 2009 11:43:00 EST<![CDATA[World's Largest Rebate? Save $42,000 on Tesla Roadster in Colorado]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/22/worlds-largest-rebate-save-42-000-on-tesla-roadster-in-colora/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/22/worlds-largest-rebate-save-42-000-on-tesla-roadster-in-colora/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/22/worlds-largest-rebate-save-42-000-on-tesla-roadster-in-colora/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Tesla Roadster - Click above image for high-res gallery

We didn't believe it until we verified it with our own eyes, but amazingly it's true: Colorado is offering a $42,083 rebate on the 2009 Tesla Roadster until December 31st. Carry the one, move the decimal point... yep, that's a 38-percent discount on what must be the most desirable electric car currently for sale in the United States.

So, exactly how did this come about? Is the thin air that's distorting people's better judgment? Not exactly. The incentive actually applies to a slew of qualifying hybrid and electric vehicles and will be paid in the form of an income tax credit that's calculated by determining the difference in price of the alt-fuel car or truck as compared to a competitive gas-powered model. In the case of the Tesla Roadster, Colorado figures the EV costs a whopping $50K more than its competitive set... which we imagine might be the Lotus Elise.

Want to take advantage of the rebate but not interested in a fully-electric sportscar? Buyers can also get a $20K rebate on the 2009 Lexus LS 600h L or about three grand on either the new Honda Insight or Toyota Prius. See the complete list in PDF form here.


Gallery: Jason Calacanis' Tesla Roadster


[Source: Green Car Reports]

World's Largest Rebate? Save $42,000 on Tesla Roadster in Colorado originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coloradocolorado ev rebatecolorado hybrid rebatecolorado rebateColoradoEvRebateColoradoHybridRebateColoradoRebatehybrid rebatehybrid rebatesHybridRebateHybridRebatesTeslatesla motorstesla rebatetesla roadstertesla roadster coloradotesla roadster rebateTeslaMotorsTeslaRebateTeslaRoadsterTeslaRoadsterColoradoTeslaRoadsterRebateThu, 22 Oct 2009 16:53:00 EST